Robert Varricchio prepping for war at CFFC 131: 'I want to make this a show for everyone'
The "Ruthless" slugger is planning on something special at Friday's event in Atlantic City.
"Ruthless" Robert Varricchio has been nothing short of spectacular in his rapid rise of the ranks of the CFFC lightweight division.
Four fights, four knockouts.
Varricchio has made it look easy at times, but he has nothing but respect for the opponents he's faced thus far. The 28-year-old slugger said it's simply a reflection of the work he's put in at Tiger Schulmann's Mixed Martial Arts.
"Everyone is saying, 'Yo, you go in there for like two, three minutes, you have a little fun and you leave,'" Varricchio said. "I'm like, 'Yeah, but you motherf-ckers don't see how much work I put in at the gym.' Like, I'm ready for three rounds. I'm trying to go three rounds. I've been ready for it."
Thus far, just one of the opponents he's faced as a professional has been able to make it out of the first. That type of domination has garnered Varricchio much attention among CFFC brass, and the success has earned him a shot at an interim lightweight title at Friday's CFFC 131, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from New Jersey's Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
Varricchio said he agreed to the opportunity without hesitation, though he initially expected it to be against reigning titleholder Robert Watley.
"I was immediately like, 'Yes,'" Varricchio said. "They didn't even tell me who I was fighting. I mean, I assumed it was Watley, but I also had a feeling he was waiting for the call from the UFC, so when they gave me Morquez Forest, I was like, 'Hell, yeah!'"
Forest (4-0) brings an equally impressive undefeated record to the table, making the CFFC 131 headliner with Varricchio (5-0) a stellar matchup on paper. But more than just the numbers, it's the style of the two athletes that appears destined to provide fireworks.
While Varricchio has been dominant thus far in his career, he believes the matchup could indeed provide a stern test.
"He's good," Varricchio said flatly of his opponent. "Listen, everyone under this banner is a killer, straight up. I'll tell you that right now – there's not one person in CFFC who's not a killer, you know? So I look at everyone I'm fighting like I'm fighting the best person in the world. That's why if I ever make a mistake in the gym, it's on my mind all day, and I've got to rectify it, because if I make that mistake now, I might make that mistake come fight day, and I can't have that, you know what I'm saying?
"I train for everyone like he's a world champion, and this guy could very well be a champion. You know, he's fighting for the title, and he's trying to take my head off, so I think, look, he's very sharp, very strong, explosive, and he's good – straight up."
On a loaded lineup that's widely regarded as the best card in CFFC history, Varricchio and Forest are primed to put on a memorable clash for the interim title. The winner will also have plenty of options, with a unification bout with Watley on the table, or perhaps a call to Dana White's Contender Series later this year.
Varricchio knows there's more at stake than just a belt but is keeping his focus sharp.
"The main goal is always the UFC or Contender Series, but in my mind right now, we're still on Morquez Forest because this dude is a killer, and I don't want to look past him," Varricchio said. "But the goal is always, always the big show."
Another impressive win could certainly catapult Varricchio toward that ultimate goal, but he makes no assumptions. He simply recommends you tune in because he's planning on something special.
"Be ready for a war," Varricchio said. "April 12 is going to be a good time. I'm going to show everyone why they call me what they call me, and we're going to have a blast of a fight. I can't wait."
